The Ultimate Cheatsheet for Critical Thinking by globaldigitalcitizen.org

Who

  • ... benefits from this?

  • ... is this harmful to?

  • ... makes decisions about this?

  • ... is most directly affected?

  • ... have you also heard discuss this?

  • ... would be the best person to consult?

  • ... will be the key people in this?

  • ... deserves recognition for this?

What

  • ... are the strengths/weaknesses?

  • ... is another perspective?

  • ... is another alternative?

  • ... would be a counter-argument?

  • ... is the best/worst case scenario?

  • ... is most/least important?

  • ... can we do to make a positive change?

  • ... is getting in the way of our action?

Where

  • ... would we see this in the real world?

  • ... are there similar concepts/situations?

  • ... is there the most need for this?

  • ... in the world would this be a problem?

  • ... can we get more information?

  • ... do we go for help with this?

  • ... will this idea take us?

  • ... are the areas for improvement?

When

  • ... is this acceptable/unacceptable?

  • ... would this benefit our society?

  • ... would this cause a problem?

  • ... is the best time to take action?

  • ... will we know we’ve succeeded?

  • ... has this played a part in our history?

  • ... can we expect this to change?

  • ... should we ask for help with this?

Why

  • ... is this a problem/challenge?

  • ... is it relevant to me/others?

  • ... is this the best/worst scenario?

  • ... are people influenced by this?

  • ... should people know about this?

  • ... has it been this way for so long?

  • ... have we allowed this to happen?

  • ... is there a need for this today?

How

  • ... is this similar to ________?

  • ... does this disrupt things?

  • ... do we know the truth about this?

  • ... will we approach this safely?

  • ... does this benefit us/others?

  • ... does this harm us/others?

  • ... do we see this in the future?

  • ... can we change this for our good?